20050307003249A

Accident · Destroyed

FAA accident report · Piper PA-24-260 · Merritt Island, FL · March 7, 2005

Date: March 7, 2005 · 13:00 local
Place: Merritt Island, FL
Phase of flight: Forced/Precautionary Landing
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Destroyed
Aircraft: N9446P
NTSB investigation: NTSBMIA05LA071
Reported as: Piper PA24260
Reported engine: Lycoming TIO540*
People aboard: 1
Fatal injuries: 0
Pilot’s flight hours: 18,700 total350 in this make and model55 in the last 90 days

N9446PRegistration cancelled Jun 23, 2005 · Piper PA-24-260S/N 24-4954 · Built 1970 Airframe modelPiper PA-24-260 Engine modelLycoming TI0-540 seriesTurbo-prop

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

(-23) This was the first flight after an overhaul of this engine (maintenance test flight). At about 300 feet AGL the engine reportedly began losing power. The engine continued to run but did not produce enough power to maintain flight. A forced landing into a mangrove swamp followed. The aircraft owner/pilot reported that the airplane was a total loss.

As the FAA filed it

(-23) THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT AFTER AN OVERHAUL OF THIS ENGINE (MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT). AT ABOUT 300 FEET AGL THE ENGINE REPORTEDLY BEGAN LOSING POWER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN BUT DID NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH POWER TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT. A FORCED LANDING INTO A MANGROVE SWAMP FOLLOWED. THE AIRCRAFT OWNER/PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB MIA05LA071Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMerritt Island, FLThe owner/pilot/mechanics inadequate installation of a fuel line resulting in a fuel leak, partial loss of engine power, and force landing in swampy terrain.Mar 7, 2005 · Substantial damage